Govt calls off Mabira forest give-away

May 21, 2007

THE Environment minister, Maria Mutagamba, has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to protect Mabira Forest reserve as agreed upon with the World Bank in 2001.

By Gerald Tenywa

THE Environment minister, Maria Mutagamba, has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to protect Mabira Forest reserve as agreed upon with the World Bank in 2001.

“We have agreed with the World Bank that Mabira is part of the Kalagala offset so we cannot degazette it,’’ Mutagamba said.

However, the Cabinet last month recommended that another inter-ministerial committee be formed to study the environmental implications of the forest give-away.

“As Cabinet we directed the committee to study the sugar industry and come up with its future demands for expansion and exports,’’ said Mutagamba.

She said the fate of Mabira will also depend on the lands ministry, which is expected to come up with a land use policy. “Whatever they decide will be considered,’’ she stressed.

Mutagamba was speaking at a press conference of the Ecumenical Water Network Conference for Water in Africa at Imperial Resort Hotel in Entebbe.

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